Shelf retaining device

Abstract

A shelf retainer device is disclosed that comprises a retaining panel and a plurality of mounting units, which is particularly useful to prevent items from falling from refrigerator and freezer shelves. A method of a retaining items on a shelf is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shelf retainer device comprising a retaining panel and a plurality of mounting units, wherein:
 the retaining panel comprises an open mesh material and a plurality of attachment loops, and;   each of the plurality of mounting units comprises an approximately L-shaped bracket having a side plate and a front plate, from which front plate extends at least one attachment knob comprising a bulbous head that fits within one of the attachment loops.   
     
     
         2 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 1 , wherein the open mesh material is stretchable. 
     
     
         3 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 2 , wherein the open mesh material is framed by a border. 
     
     
         4 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment loops are molded integrally with or overmolded onto the border. 
     
     
         5 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment loops are stretchable, and must be stretched to fit over the bulbous head of an attachment knob. 
     
     
         6 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 5 , wherein the retaining panel has a top edge having at least one attachment loop with a first inner diameter, and a bottom edge having at least one attachment loop with a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining panel has a top edge having at least one top attachment loop and a bottom edge having at least one bottom attachment loop, wherein the top attachment loop is hook-shaped and the bottom attachment loop is stretchable and must be stretched to fit over the bulbous head of an attachment knob. 
     
     
         8 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 1 , wherein the L-shaped bracket comprises one or more approximately triangular buttresses that connect the side plate and the front plate. 
     
     
         9 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment knob comprises a post separating the bulbous head from the front plate. 
     
     
         10 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 9 , wherein an annular ridge encircles the post, dividing the post into a first segment between the front plate and the annular ridge, and a second segment between the annular ridge and the bulbous head. 
     
     
         11 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the first segment is larger than the diameter of the second segment. 
     
     
         12 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 1 , wherein an adhesive covers at least part of the side plate. 
     
     
         13 . The shelf retainer device of  claim 1 , wherein a suction device is attached to the side plate. 
     
     
         14 . A method of retaining items on a shelf bounded by at least two walls, which comprises:
 providing a retaining panel comprising an open mesh material and a plurality of attachment loops;   affixing a plurality of mounting units to the at least two walls, wherein each mounting unit comprises an approximately L-shaped bracket having a side plate and a front plate, from which front plate extends at least one attachment knob comprising a bulbous head; and   fitting the attachment loops over the bulbous heads of the mounting units.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mounting units are affixed to the walls by an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the retaining panel has a top edge having at least one attachment loop with a first inner diameter, and a bottom edge having at least one attachment loop with a second inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter.